File this question under Free Lunch.

Now that Medicare pays for a yearly Physical Exam has anyone asked their AME whether he/she will take the Medicare Payment for a Flight Physical. I asked but I am not sure they understood the question. They said cash only as always.

Along the same lines my AME (in the old days) would sign off a CDL physical at the same time as a Flyght Physical. They are the same and they only do one. So one price for both. Not any more... They charge for both. They are grubbing for every dime.

CDL is actually harder to pass as far as blood pressure is concerned. My old Dr. would do mine on my wife's insurance before he retired. You were actually allowed one physical per year and he would sign me off.

With the way that Medicare sticks it to the docs (ever look at your EOB's from Medicare or your supplemental coverage?), I can't blame him for saying cash only for the flight physical. If he submitted it to Medicare, he'd make about $6.37.

Cary

Not just the govmt is squeezing the docs, the ins co.s are too. Big time.
My AME has a full time solo practice and is very bizzy.....but that does not translate into much take home $$s. For that he works long ER shifts on weekends.

The days of GPs or family docks or internal med docs doing real well financially are long over.........IF they are conscientious and take the time to do a reasonable job.

Just the facts, ma'am.....
lc

Cary wrote:With the way that Medicare sticks it to the docs (ever look at your EOB's from Medicare or your supplemental coverage?), I can't blame him for saying cash only for the flight physical. If he submitted it to Medicare, he'd make about $6.37.

Cary

I am sure you are correct. I have Blue Cross as primary and I pay for Medicare part B but I don't think anyone ever submits the part that Blue Cross doesn't pay to Medicare. Every year I think i'll stop paying for part B but I never do. Belt and suspenders I suppose. LOL

Jaerl wrote:CDL is actually harder to pass as far as blood pressure is concerned. My old Dr. would do mine on my wife's insurance before he retired. You were actually allowed one physical per year and he would sign me off.

You need less than 140 over 90 to avoid any complications. At least there are standards for drivers. Our FAA says there is no standard but.... AME's are supposed to use 155/95 as a guideline. Wink Wink.